Happy Meals!

I wasn't able to bring lunch today and I was too lazy to go down so I asked my officemates if they wanted to have McDo delivered. I was also too lazy to pick up the phone so I just uses the Click the City app I have installed in my phone. And of course, we did not know what to order. Since it was available in the menu, we got the easiest thing to get as a group, the Happy Bundle.

It was quick, as usual, but we forgot to instruct to not use styro as it was prohibited in our building. Paper plates were used to improvise so that we could share our regular drinks, 2 large fries, 20 chicken nuggets, and 4 orders of spaghetti. All that for 495 + 40 delivery charge. Perfect lunch for four.

The best part was the placemat. It tempted us to ask for crayons from the delivery guy. Yes, love ko 'to!

Cinemalaya 8 Winners

Maraming salamat sa mga alagad ng Pelikula!

Full Length - New Breed

Best Picture: Diablo
Special Jury Prize: REquieme!
Audience Choice: Ang Nawawala

Best Director: Mes de Guzman, Diablo

Best Actress: Ama Quiambao, Diablo

Best Actor: Kristoffer King, Oros

Best Supporting Actress: Anita Linda, Santa Niña

Best Supporting Actor: Joross Gamboa, Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino

Best Screenplay: Rody Vera, REquime!

Best Cinematography: Tristan Salas, Diablo

Best Production Design: Benjamin Payumo, Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino

Best Editing: John Wong and Rona delos Reyes, The Animals

Best Original Music Score: Mikey Amistoso, Diego Mapa, and Jazz Nicolas, Ang Nawawala

Best Sound: Albert Michael Idioma, Aparisyon

NETPAC Award: Diablo


Full Length - Directors Showcase

Best Picture: Posas
Special Jury Prize: Kamera Obskura
Audience Choice: Bwakaw

Best Director: Raymond Red, Kamera Obskura

Best Actress: Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, Judy Ann Santos & Agot Isidro (ensemble), Mga Mumunting Lihim

Best Actor: Eddie Garcia, Bwakaw

Best Supporting Actress: Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, Judy Ann Santos & Agot Isidro (ensemble), Mga Mumunting Lihim

Best Supporting Actor: Art Acuna, Posas

Best Screenplay: Jose Javier Reyes, Mga Mumunting Lihim

Best Cinematography: Albert Banzon, Kalayaan

Best Production Design: Adolfo Alix Jr., Kalayaan

Best Editing: Vanessa de Leon, Mga Mumunting Lihim

Best Original Musical Score: Diwa de Leon, Kamera Obskura

Best Sound: Ditoy Aguila, Kalayaan

NETPAC Award: Bwakaw


Short Film

Best Picture: Victor
Special Jury Prize: Manenaya
Audience Choice: Ruweda

Best Director: Sheron Dayoc, As He Sleeps

Best Screenplay: Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong

Liquid Dreams

We rarely go to Festival Mall but when we do, we usually end our night with Seattle's Best simply because we park near there always.

Upon entering the cafe, I saw the display of their new drinks, picked one, and then went straight to get seats. While waiting for the drinks, I overheard the other table that they ordered the new drinks too. I was a bit anxious but hearing that relaxed me a bit.

I got Heavenly Cheesecake and my dad ordered Red Velvet. His, I imagine, would be how a slice of cake of the same name would taste like if it was put in the blender.

My drink was more familiar. Seattle's Best ice blended drinks were always consistent. Think of the classic coffee variant, add the taste of cheesecake, crushed graham on top and in the drink, plus tiny cheesecake bits.

I'd recommend trying the Heavenly Cheesecake if you love coffee but want a hint of cheesecake.

Finally, Friday's!

All set up for The Dark Knight Rises take 2 and the family struggled to find a place to eat sort of late lunch in Glorietta. Italianni's would always be the default but I wanted to have a break from the usual so I suggested Friday's. The last time we were there was before the Town branch was renovated.

It's nice that it's still the good old Friday's with some new offerings. We stuck with what we love but also ordered their fried ice cream. What was served was a big scoop of vanilla inside a nutty crust, with cinnamon tortilla and whipped cream. During the whole time, one of their new drinks, Watermelon Spa, accompanied me. It definitely was not a disappointment!

Rain = Pizza + Wings

Thank you Ferdie for keeping us stranded but Raine (@RaineMusing) was right in saying this:

Upside of this weather: Forced rest. And no need for power. Except maybe the ref. And router and laptop :)

That's just what the whole family did. And then we called Brooklyn Pizza, our neighborhood pizza joint, to ask a delivery man to brave the rain. Any random pizza is good there and their white is wonderful and has much garlic. I grew up ordering Manager's Choice but my favorite has always been Garlic & Cheese and tonight's white is a great alternative. The rest of the basic-ish flavors just go well with Buffalo Wings.

Tsaa Daw. No, Cha Dao.

I've been hearing a lot about Cha Dao from my friend Yanee and she claims that it is the best tea shop she has been into so far. I've tried several shops and I liked some for different reasons. I see the shop almost every day when I go home but I almost always just enjoy it. I'm tired of other shops' Wintermelon and the best way to hook me is to give me an interesting flavor. And Cha Dao has it!

Cha Yen, also known as Thai Iced Tea, was introduced to me by my Tita Lorna when we were at Peninsula. My tastebuds were happy and that sensation was not recreated until earlier this week, for a much cheaper price, of course. Cha Dao called their biggest size XL and a drink is less than 100. It may not be an exact replica of what Peninsula offers but it is definitely the closest.

Pictured also is Kopiko but Cha Yen would still be my favorite.

The 3rd Time Isn't Always A Charm

I am writing this because I love their donuts. Unfortunately, their service is not as good as their donuts. Yes, I want them to improve.

J.Co and I started well especially that I scored a Free GC from Glenn Ong's Blog (Go to http://glennong.com now! And Hi Glenn!). Megamall isn't really a convenient place for me to go to so I waited for other shops to open. Heard about the Greenbelt opening so I went there right after work but was rejected for a private launch. I'm fine with private launches but I didn't see any news about it there. They were on full blast mode at that time shouting that they would give away 500 free donuts at the Greenbelt open area, on a rainy day. It was wrong for me to assume that they opened for the public already.

July 5, Day 2 of the Greenbelt store, I was glad I could taste it finally. The line was long, it was packed. They had a great launch and things were going well for them, but not for me. I understood that the line was long but it was extremely slow because the cashier was still issuing ORs for every transaction. Also, while I was still in the line, I wanted to buy a dozen that would be put in 2 boxes. The next disappointment came when I was told that I would be charged for 2 half dozens and not a dozen just because of the packaging. Complaining would just be too tiresome so I ended up getting JPops. So much for planning what flavors to get. The box I got was madungis too.

Tonight was my third visit to a J.Co store and it wasn't a charm. Location was bad for the MOA branch but I wouldn't be able to do much about that. The line was long as usual, they had air con installed but it was hot. My dad said that he couldn't breathe in there. Stock was bad, choices were few and I didn't get the flavors I wanted. At the counter, I had to ask them to change 1 flavor since they refilled it only when I was about to pay. They also didn't have JPops at that time and I overheard that it would take an hour for the next batch to finish. I wouldn't be able to do anything about that either, except to hope that they manage their stocks better. While in the line, I observed that the crew had smears of what I hope is their glaze on the sleeves of their black collared shirts and they aren't that skillful in getting donuts from the display. One Alcapone fell from the top display case to the lower one and had to be marked out. Sayang.

Clearly the management should know that there is much room for improvement and it's as big as a warehouse.

Again, I love their donuts. I've only samples their Iced Thai Tea and it was quite bland. I would want to try their drinks more but situations don't allow me too. And my cravings would lessen if operations won't improve.

May they get things right the next time I visit.

Update: Added screenshot of J.Co Philippine's tweet (949 AM, July 16)

You Can't Go Wrong With LJC

One of the perks of having an LJC card is receiving GCs for their restaurants from time to time. My family frequents Fely J's but the GC was only valid for Abe MOA. Still not bad since we don't go there often.

We arrived and the restaurant was empty but not for long. The waiters were charming, attending to our every need. Even if the dining area was not big, ample space is provided for your comfort. We ordered Sinigang na Boneless Bangus fillet with Ripe Guava (My Dad's favorite!), Ginisang Mustasa, Bamboo Rice, and Crispy Tadyang.

Amidst the hustle and bustle outside the restaurant, every second inside was excellent. This is probably the only great reason to MOA.

Five for Guimaras

Si this signage lowered my options to four. Thank you Jamba Juice for making this your CSR project, and for sourcing locally! Plus Green, the one at the counter, had a really infectious smile! This made my evening. :D

By The Label Friday

Gelatissimo + Bulgogi Brothers + Mr. Jones

When in Doubt, Go Greek!

Eating at the food court is always a tricky thing unless you have a certain craving. Walking through Food Choices reminded me of the unappetizing fusion of Kalbi, of how I haven't eaten in Reyes Barbecue for a long time now, and how I enjoyed Manang's Chicken the last time I stayed there with Kaye. Still, I followed my feet, which actually just followed my gut. To Go Greek! Again, I went to the familiar and reliable. Their lamb kebab did not let me down tonight. It kept me full throughout that film that was shot using Instagram.

I need a haircut

Fork Club Wednesday! No bananas today.

Always Requited

Before I discovered what love is, my heart leaped every so often during the morning while I was still in college. This evening, we met again when I visited 7-11.

My eyes were locked, there was no other choice. I grabbed and stepped out, eager to go home. It was familiar, comfortable, a blast of great days that passed. A reunion is always pleasant.

That's just what happened. Got MineShine to accompany me back then and right now.